Special Education and Teaching at Ball State University

Ball State's special education program shows stronger first-year earnings than most peers—ranking in the 70th percentile nationally and outpacing both the national median ($44,139) and Indiana's median ($45,802). The initial $47,499 salary puts graduates within striking distance of IU-Bloomington, the state leader at $51,306. At $23,250 in debt, graduates face just 0.49 times their first-year income, a manageable burden that's actually below Indiana's median debt for this program.

The concern is what happens next: earnings dip to $45,379 by year four, a 4% decline that's unusual in a field where salaries typically climb with experience and licensure advancement. This could reflect high turnover in special education (teachers leaving the classroom) or localized salary structures in the region where graduates work. That said, even with this slide, graduates remain competitive with many Indiana programs and maintain a comfortable debt position.

For parents whose child is committed to special education, Ball State delivers solid preparation without crushing debt. The early salary advantage gives graduates breathing room, and the manageable loan burden means the year-four dip doesn't create financial hardship. Just understand that career earnings here may plateau sooner than expected—advancement likely depends on pursuing administrative roles or additional credentials rather than automatic salary growth.